Well, here I am again. My 20 month lockaversary was November 13th. Many changes have happened since my last post the biggest of which I think is length. I still don't have a long flowing ponytail but, I have a good size Peter Cotton tail one. Lord, let me tell yall that I got my hair retighten yesterday and I don't know if I was havin a SUPER DUPER TENDER HEADED DAY but, this was this first and only time I've ever thought about perming since I stopped in 2004. Now, I don't mean that I'm gonna slap the cream on but the retighnin hurt so much it felt like I had the cream on and it was burnin the HELL OUTTA MY HEAD! Usually, it don't hurt that bad but I got to thinking that maybe I made the wrong decision choosing a locking method that requires a tool. I don't think the palm rollers have this problem. If you are readin this and you know a way to solve my problem please holla at me. I got into lockin cuz I was running from the burning cream. I don't want to trade one kind of pain for another. I ain't no SAYDO or no MASSAKIS! In the words of the Ohio Players and Kunta Kinte "I WANNA BE FREE!" of pain. In the new year I have set a goal to learn how to tighten my own locks. I don't know if I'll give up my consultant but, I'd like to know how to do my own do. My second goal is to color my hair. The last time I got color it was a homegirl hookup. This time I'm going to get it professionally done like I did when I was permed. I'm still unsure of which color so if you have a suggestion holla at me. My old ends still ain't fully sealed. I do believe this is becuz I colored my hair 6 months b4 I locked. Sistas often ask should they color b4 or after getting locked. It's their decision but I'd suggest waitin until your locks are fully sealed and then make that move. If you've read any of my older post you know that I been battlin the buildup and it's winning. But, I was on Nappturality.com in October and someone suggested that to remove buildup do the following: rinse with water for 10 min. Apply a clarifyin shampoo for 30-60 min with a shower cap. Rinse that out for 10-15 min then saturate the locks with undiluted Apple Cidar Vinegar under a shower cap for 30-60 min. Rinse 10-15 minutes. Then apply a conditioner and rinse that out for 10-15 min. I did this faithfully for 3 weeks and I'm sorry to say that while the washin and rinsin was great it didn't move all of the buildup. I can say that it did help so I'm not abandoning this I just had to put it on hold during a recent move. I'm gonna pick it up again soon and I'll let ya know the results. I got this suggestion from someone else's blog; it don't remove the buildup but it darkens/camouflages it so it appears that it's not there. The product is Almond Rain Oil Mist by Dark & Lovely. It smells good and it helps if you have that back of da neck buildup and you want to wear an updo. A sista named Amba stopped by my blog and left this suggestion for gettin rid of buildup. One tip I got a while ago for removing lint and build up is to oil the individual locks which have build up with warm olive oil. Put on a shower cap for 10 mins then wash throroughly in the hottest water your hair can stand. Make sure to squeeze ends of hair as you rinse and be gentle. Now this can be only used on mature locks. But works like a dream. I haven't tried this but I wanted those who have the problem to be aware that there is hope and help. Thanks Amba
If you don't have this problem Praise God. I still also believe that if I had of engaged in prolonged rinses early on I don't think I'd have this problem. Cuz since I been rinsing for 10 or more minutes, the buildup hasn't left but it hasn't got worse. Despite the obstables I've faced during these 20 months I'm still glad I locked.